Welcome to Astronomy Daily, your go to podcast for the latest updates and insights
in the world of space and astronomy. I'm your host Anna. Today we
have some truly captivating stories lined up for you. We'll explore the discovery of
a brand new triple Star system courtesy of the Hubble Space Telescope, delve into
the latest updates on Boeing's much anticipated Starliner mission, and hear about India's groundbreaking
plans for its Mongalion two Mars mission. Additionally, we'll discuss the massive sunspot
AR three thousand, six hundred and sixty four's impact on Mars, and finally
look at NASA's ambitious Artemis for mission, which includes building the Gateway Lunar Space
station. So sit back and get ready for an exciting journey through the Cosmos
the Autonomy Day podcast. Hubble has recently revealed a stunning image of the Triple
Star system HP TAO, HP two two and HP tw G three. In
a time when much of the astronomical world is focusing on the James Web Space
Telescope, Hubble is reminding us that it still has much to offer. The
system includes young stars, with HP tow being only about ten million years old
and yet to begin fusing hydrogen. These stars are surrounded by a reflection nebula,
located about five hundred and fifty light years away in the Taurus constellation.
Reflection nebulae like this are composed of interstellar dusts that reflects the light of nearby
young stars, giving them a characteristic blue hue. The image showcases intricate patterns
of nebulosity that appear almost hollow, sculpted by the stars at their center.
Hp tow itself is a t Taari star, a type of young variable star
that's typically less than ten million years old. These stars are often enveloped in
the very gas and dusts that formed them, showing both regular and chaotic fluctuations
in brightness. These variations may be caused by complex processes in their still forming
accretion discs. This latest observation was part of Hubble's ongoing investigations into protoplanetary discs,
which are potential precursors to planetary systems around stars. It's amazing to consider
that the light captivating us in these images has traveled for five hundred fifty years
before reaching Hubble's optics. This finding is a stellar example of Hubble's enduring legacy
in advancing our understanding of the universe. Despite being launched in nineteen ninety,
Hubble continues to provide new insights and breathtaking visuals that inspire wonder and curiosity about
the Cosmos. The long awaited first astronaut mission for Boeing's Starliner spacecraft has encountered
yet another delay due to a helium leak in the service module. Originally scheduled
for May twenty first, the launch date has now been pushed to May twenty
fifth. This mission, known as the Crew Flight Test, aims to send
NASA astronauts Sunny Williams and Butch Wilmore to the International Space Station for approximately a
way week long stay. The delay was prompted by a small helium leak identified
in a reaction control system thruster. Although initial assessments indicated the issue was not
critical, NASA and Boeing have decided to take additional time to further evaluate the
leak and ensure that all systems are operating safely and effectively before proceeding with the
mission. This rigorous approach highlights the meticulous preparation and safety protocols necessary for space
travel. The spacecraft set to launch atop a United Launch Alliance atlasphe rocket from
Cape Canaveral remains in the assembly building while continued assessments and potential repairs are carried
out. Meanwhile, astronauts Williams and Wilmore are in quarantine in Houston, preparing
to head to Florida's space coast when the launch date nears. CFT will be
a pivotal milestone for the commercial crew program, with Boeing developing and flying the
Starliner under a four point two billion dollars contract awarded by NASA in twenty fourteen.
The mission is eagerly anticipated, marking Boeing's first crude flight and following in
the footsteps of SpaceX's Demo two mission in May twenty twenty. Both NASA and
Boeing are committed to ensuring success as they work through these final preparatory stages.
India is making significant strides in space exploration, with the upcoming launch of Mangolian
two scheduled for a late twenty twenty four launch. This mission is a follow
up to the highly successful Mars Orbiter mission or Mangolian, which made India the
first country to reach Mars on its first attempt. Menglian two promises to be
even more ambitious, featuring a complex array of instruments, including a rover and
a helicopter, reminiscent of NASA's Perseverance and Ingenuity duo currently on Mars. If
successful, India will join an elite group, becoming the third country to land
a spacecraft on Mars, following the United States and China. The mission aims
to study the early history of Mars, analyze its atmosphere, and search for
a high apothesized dust ring generated by its moons, Phobos and Demos. Utilizing
a supersonic parachute and a sky crane for its landing, Mengalion two will exemplify
cutting edge space technology, further propelling India's status in the field of space exploration.
Local reports have suggested an ambitious timeline, but several key components, like
the multi instrument helicopter, skycrane and supersonic parachute are still under development. Despite
the challenges, India's Space agency ISRO remains optimistic about achieving these milestones. With
the successful legacy of Mangolion and a futuristic array of instruments in tow Mangolion two
is poised to add another chapter to the storied history of Martian exploration. Recent
observations have spotlighted sunspot AR three thousand, six hundred sixty four, an enormous
solar feature making headlines for its solar activities. This sunspot unleashed a substantial solar
flare on May fourteenth, significantly impacting Mars. The flare is expected to rapidly
heat and ionize Mars's upper atmosphere, a phenomenon that scientists are actively studying.
According to doctor Ed Thiemann, a heliophysicist at the University of Colorado at Boulder's
Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics, the flare from AR three thousand, six
hundred and sixty four is the largest observed by the Maven spacecraft since its arrival
at Mars in twenty fourteen. NASA's Maven and the Perseverance Rover currently hold front
row seats to this cosmic event. The flare could inflate Mars's upper atmosphere by
tens of kilometers and potentially generate a global scale aurora, a magnificent display for
Perseverance. Unlike Earth, Mars lacks a magnetic field to shield it from these
supercharged particles, making NASA's study all the more significant. Events such as these
offer invaluable insights into how the Sun's activity erodes Mars's atmosphere over time. Over
this is not the first time Maven has witnessed such auroras. Previous solar storms
have delivered similar light shows on Mars, enriching our understanding of the red planet's
atmospheric dynamics. It's anticipated that this ongoing solar event will temporarily increase atmospheric loss
on Mars, providing essential data to comprehend better the historical climatic changes that transformed
Mars from a potentially habitable environment to the barren landscape we see today. The
Astronomy Daily podcasts. NASA's Artemis four mission will herald a new chapter in lunar
exploration with the construction of the Gateway, which will be humanity's first lunar space
station. This mission serves as a cornerstone in NASA's long term strategy to establish
a sustainable human presence on the Moon and lays the groundwork for eventual missions to
Mars. The mission will utilize an upgraded Space launch System SLS rocket, demonstrating
NASA's continued commitment to advancing space exploration capabilities. The Gateway will not only provide
a platform for scientific research, but also act as a critical staging point for
future lunar sorties and interplanetary expeditions. With docking ports for various spacecraft and living
quarters for astronauts, Gateway's unique elliptical orbit will offer unprecedented access to the lunar
surface and facilitate comprehensive scientific studies. Artemis four is a giant leap forward,
promising to transform our approach to space exploration and preparing humanity for the next frontier.
Thank you for tuning in to Astronomy Daily. We hope you enjoyed today's
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This is your host, Anna signing off until next time. Keep reaching for
the stars Today Stars Star